Numerical Model for Prediction of Surface Currents in the Ocean.
Abstract
An ensemble of 136 observations of surface currents on the western Florida Shelf near 82 deg 30 min W, 25 deg 30 min N is reported. The method uses aerial photography of the position of a fixed and a freely floating dye marker. A least-square estimate of the offshore tidal currents is made from this ensemble, and Pollard's (1971) model of wind-driven currents is used to estimate the residual wind-driven flow. The projected vector diagrams of the surface wind and the total currents are computed for October and November of 1971. The principal conclusions are: (a) It is observed that there exists a lateral coherence of currents in a 16-km radius on the shelf; (b) no persistent current is predicted or observed over this two-month period, and the projected vector diagrams form an ensemble of closed loops. Implications for the drift of objects and pollutants on the shelf are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA005054
Entities
People
- Mark Goldstein
- Peter Niiler